Art materials can be found everywhere, and local artistÂ Aminah Robinson uses materials from neck ties to mud to create art.

The Columbus Museum of Art is exhibiting the work of Aminah Robinson, a nationally recognized artist who uses paper, textiles and sculpture to explore memory and heritage.

“Her dad always said to her, ‘You don’t have to have money to be an artist, there’s always art materials around,’” said Carole Genshaft, adjunct curator of education and director of
The Aminah Robinson Center at the Columbus Museum of Art.

According to the Columbus Museum of Art’s website, the exhibit of Robinson’s work features more than 100 paintings, sculptures, works on paper, books, journals and mixed-media projects that span more than 50 years.

Genshaft said Robinson’s father taught her to make paper, books and sculptural material from glue, mud, clay and leaves.

“I think her works â€¦ are layered not only in a material way but with meaning and with community,” Genshaft said. “And for her, they’re very sacred.”

Robinson’s friends and acquaintances often leave bags of materials on her doorstep for her to work with, Genshaft said.

“Whether it’s a tie or a piece of fabric, it represents the person who wore it,” Genshaft said.

Robinson’s works are imbued with spirit, Genshaft said.

“It’s almost like she’s the vessel that she sees herself as kind of an instrument that has to do this work,” Genshaft said. “These stories just come through her and (pour) out onto whatever surface she’s working on.”